Fast pyrolysis of agricultural wastes:: Characterization of pyrolysis products

This study deals with pyrolysis of three agricultural wastes (corncob, straw and oreganum stalks) at 500 degrees C in a fluidized bed reactor. The yields of char, liquid and gas were quantified. Pyrolysis liquids produced were in two separate phases; aqueous phase and oil. Oil yields varied between 35 and 41%, depending on biomass type, whereas the yields of aqueous phases were almost similar, around 6%, for all feedstock. For characterization, oils were fractionated by water extraction into two fractions; water solubles and water unsolubles. Both aqueous phase and watersoluble fraction were analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry and high-performance liquid chromatography. In addition, water content and elemental analysis of the oils were determined. Chemical compositions of gas and char products relevant to fuel applications were determined. (c) 2007 Elsevier B.V All rights reserved.